Music technology in the

primary classroom

Kelly-Jo Foster-Peters

Wednesday 30 June 2021

MEHEM Uprising

Aims of this session

The value and purpose of using music technologies in primary schools.

Pedagogical and practical considerations when using music technology to support musical learning.

Develop confidence in making music using mobile technology.

Use the comments as a sharing/reviewing tool to support colleagues

Creativity

Technology literate

Divergent thinking

Independent learning

Communicate

External learning

Connect

Collaborate

My experience - Using the iPad as an instrument in musical performances

What is the purpose/value of

using technology to teach

music?

DfE - National Curriculum

(2014)

- Statutory – KS1-3

‘Use technology

appropriately’

Reflective Questions:

• Can we use technology to enhance our

vocal work?

• Can technology be used as an

instrument?

• Can we access high quality music

samples using technology?

• Can we use technology to explore the

dimensions of music and create our own

music?

Reflective Questions:

• Can we use technology to play

independently, and with others?

• Can we develop improvisation skills using

technology?

• Can we develop aural skills and learn

about notation?

• Can we interact with a range of music

genre using tech?

TPACK –Theory about different types of

knowledge needed to effectively use technology in

the music classroom

• Technological knowledge

• Content knowledge

• Pedagogical knowledge

Reflection: How is YOUR music technology journey going

so far?

4 Stages of technology implementation

Equipment CPD Classroom Networking

Computer or tablet?

What purpose does the technology suit?

BandLab

SoundTrap

Music

Technology

PC or Macs?

iPad or Android?

Bandlab

Cakewalk (by BandLab) – free

GarageBand

Drumbit

Ableton

Noteflight

Flat

Samplebotapp.com

Chrome Music Lab

Sibelius

Cubase LE

Logic Pro

RAH Performance (Video not included in

ppt.)

Accessibility

Progression in musical learning

Developing innovative ways of playing

music with others

Remember musical ability is not necessarily

linked to academic ability. For example, an A*

student in maths may play less musically than

an F grade student.

Using Tablets to

perform live music

Ratio of devices

1 tablet

5 tablets

15 tablets

30 tablets

Practical Issues:

• Audio – headphones, PA

• Charging

• Purchasing apps

• Classroom rules

• Sharing with other classes

• Storing work - cloud based solutions

• Sharing work – audience? Performances,

school music blog

Equipment

Tablets

Headphones

PA / speaker & lead/s

Cases

Chargers

Trolley/bags to carry round school

App Store cards – To purchase

apps/music from the app store

Tablet stands

YOUTUBE – Watch videos of:

computer software

Individual apps

iPad band performances

Networking – Link with other teachers who are

enjoying working with technology

Expertise - Local secondary school music

teachers

MEH training courses, specific tailored support

Apple Store – for devices and Apple only apps

External courses

Be open to learning from the children – they

are often very tech savvy.

CPD

Stimulus – What to teach? How to teach it?

NATIONAL

CURRICULUM

MODEL MUSIC

CURRICULUM

SCHOOL

CURRICULUM

ISM PRIMARY

CURRICULUM

FRAMEWORK

TES Teaching Resources

Primaryresources.co.uk

Oak National Academy

BBC 10 Pieces/Bitesize

Musical Futures

Music Express

Charanga

SingUp

Using apps to develop music

skills

Singing / vocal work

Karaoke apps

Vocal warm-ups

Creative vocal apps

Songwriting

Swiftscales

Loopy

Starmaker

Yokee

Rhymers Block

Songwriters Pro

Improvox

Playing music

Chords

Percussion/

Drumbeats

Synths

Layering Samples

Hand DrumsREAL PERCUSSION: Drum padsRhythm PadShakerBoxReal Drum (A)Drum pad machine (A)

Nodebeat

Soundprism

Electro

Soundprism

Launchpad

Bebot Grainscience

Geosynth

Airvox

DubPad

Figure

GarageBand

Change instrument

Change scale – Minor Blues

E E G E D C B

Task:

Playing a bass

riff

Find bass guitar

Next step: Play in pairs – one

keeping beat on drums

Queen,

‘Another One

Bites the Dust’

E E E E E E G E A

MMC – Year 2 Listening Guidance pieces:

• Bolero – Ravel (Thumbjam – C major, in 3)

• Mars from The Planets – Holst (Scale - Blues phrygian, in G)

• G, D, Db, Ab

• Hound Dog - Elvis Presley (GarageBand – Smart Guitar)

Chords - Harmony

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Hound Dog, cryin’ all the time You ain’t nothin’ but a

C C C C

Hound Dog, cryin’ all the time Well, you ain’t

F F C C

Never caught a rabbit

and you

Ain’t no friend of Mine.

G F C C

Hound Dog - Elvis Presley (GarageBand – Smart Guitar)

Composing Music

Composing Chord Sequences –

Ternary form - ABA

1 2 3 4

Section A

1 2 3 4

Section BExtension:

• Add

drumbeat

• Add bassline

• Add other

instruments

• Writes lyrics

Composing – using samples

Rayman

Legends

Beatbox

Toca Band

Toc and Roll

Launchpad

Improvising music

Atmospheric sounds – Alchemy (GarageBand)

Atmospheric sounds apps:

Scape

Bloom

GarageBand – Alchemy

Grain Science

Launchpad soundpacks

Music Express free trial

link: connect.collins.co.uk

Music Express and the MMC is available

here: https://collins.co.uk/pages/primary-

primary-music-music-express-model-music-

curriculum

Activity idea: Developing improvisation skills – Indian Raga Fusion

Listening

Carnival of the animals

Benjamin Britten’s Guide

ABRSM Apps

My First Classical Music App – Exploring instruments and timbres/soundsLearning about composers and classical music

The Orchestra app

Resources linked to music apps

Katie Wardrobe – Midnght Music

Technology

iPad Music Teacher – Facebook

https://gb.abrsm.org/en/exam-

support/apps-and-practice-

tools/

Music Express free trial

link: connect.collins.co.uk

Thank you for listening

Kelly-Jo Foster-Peters

pkellyjo@gmail.com

Twitter: @kellyjopadmusic

Facebook: iPad music teacher

07710 504407